San Francisco Giants Caught '42' in Special Screening at Rosebud

The World Series Champion San Francisco Giants were looking for a little inspiration coming in to a series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

So, on Monday night, Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball, but with no game to play, they decided to go to the movies.

Most of the Giants' roster and a couple of coaches rolled up in a bus Monday night to the Rosebud Cinema, 6823 W. North Ave. in Wauwatosa, to watch "42," the story of how Robinson broke the color line in baseball.

"It was last minute," said Rosebud general manager David Gigl. "I talked to their travel agent, and their bus pulled up.

"We had to coordinate some cones and move some cars. They walked in less than 25 feet from the front door."

There was actually a little more planning than that, Gigl said when he got over a little of his own excitement.

"An art-house theater promoter in San Francisco got hold of the Giants," Gigl said. "He knew about the Rosebud, thought it was a cool place, he knew we were showing "42," and he suggested they get hold of us.

"They reached out Saturday, but it wasn't any kind of a done deal. They called about 3 p.m. (Monday) and we had it settled by 5. I set up a special showing for them about 9:15, after our regular 6:30 show was over and cleared out.

"They didn't want to be out too late. I created a time slot just for them."

Gigl said about 24 Giants attended, including a couple of coaches, but mostly players.

"They were excited, too," Gigl said. "They got popcorn and soda and sat down for a movie. I think it motivated them, what wearing No. 42 meant."

It meant a lot to Gigl, too, to have the major leaguers stop at his cinema.

"I had them all sign a "42" poster," Gigl said, "and they invited me to the game tonight (Tuesday). Since they and the Brewers were both off, they were celebrating Jackie Robinson Day then, with everybody wearing No. 42.

"I'm going behind the scenes with them, and I can't wait."

The inspiration apparently took hold of every player who came to the plate. The game would turn out to be a slugfest, with the Brewers chasing Giants' starter Barry Zito in an eight-run thrid inning, then the Giants slowly clawing back.

In the end, with everybody on the field wearing his number, the spirit of Jackie Robinson most blessed the Brewers. The home team won, 10-8.